Edit This Favorite

Name:

Category:

Share:

YesNo, Keep Private

Advanced Weather

The Advanced Weather course is a three-day course that builds on the fundamentals acquired from the introductory course and delves into the weather forecasting process. After a quick review of the introductory concepts, students will learn about the weather forecasting process which includes analysis, diagnosis, and prognosis. The science behind numerical weather models will be introduced while highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of various common models. High-resolution short-term models are compared and contrasted with coarse long-range models while highlighting their individual strengths.

The Advanced Weather course benefits from more time for students to work through several hands-on individual and group exercises. With a focus on winter weather, students will gain an appreciation of how meteorological parameters influence snowpack stability and trends and how those parameters can be identified days in advance.

The majority of this three-day course will take place in a classroom starting at 8:00 and ending at approximately 17:00. Refer to the Sample Schedule for details. A significant amount of pre-course reading will need to be completed before course start.

The Advanced Weather course is offered once every two years on even-numbered years (eg. 2018, 2020, 2022, etc.). Visit the course calendar for course dates, locations, location-specific logistics information, and registration.

2 If you are registered for the Introduction to Weather course prior to the Advanced Weather course please fill in this Letter of Intent and submit it in the online registration process when it asks for the Introduction to Weather certificate.

It is strongly recommended that students are actively working in avalanche safety operations.

Registration Process

If you have met the prerequisites listed above then you may register online for the course of your choice (if available).

The Advanced Weather course is offered once every two years on even-numbered years (eg. 2018, 2020, 2022, etc.). Visit the course calendar for course dates, locations, location-specific logistics information, and registration.

The registration deadline is 1 month prior to course start. This course will only run if there is enough demand. Full refunds will be given if the course is cancelled and course materials are returned.

Full payment for the Advanced Weather course will be taken at time of registration.

You will be required to upload a scan or JPEG of the following document during your registration process. Without them you will be unable to complete your registration.

Proof of 19 years of age or older. Example: a copy of your driver's license.

1 If you are registered for the Introduction to Weather course prior to the Advanced Weather course you will be required to upload a Letter of Intent.

2When a student has experience/training that meets the goals of a CAA course prerequisite they can apply to waive this prerequisite through the PLA process. Please see the details of this option on the PLA Application webpage.

Course Fees and Funding Opportunities

****The following are 2018-19 course fees. Note that prices are now location-specific to reflect ACTUAL costs associated with course locations****

Whistler: $736

Grants/Scholarships:

The Avalanche Canada Foundation yearly offers scholarships for students. Many local employment centres and/or SAR groups can also help with local funding opportunities.

Course Equipment and Materials

Upon registration all students will receive a confirmation e-mail that contains links to the course's logistical information. Alternatively you can click on the course's title in the course calendar to view logistics details.

Students will be mailed a program package1 that includes:

An Advanced Weather Student Manual & readings.

1It is the student's responsibility to contact the CAA office if they have not received this package 1 month prior to course start. The package will be mailed to the address you provided during your online registration.

Pre-course readings and questions take time, 20+ hours, and must be completed prior to starting the course.

Advanced Weather is a classroom based course. Visit the course calendar and click on the course you are registered on for location-specific logistical information. Students are required to bring a laptop computer to the course.

Course Evaluation

Course evaluation is a combination of exercises and written tests. Students receiving an overall mark of 71% or greater results in the CAA Advanced Weather certificate of completion being granted to the student.